IR TV Review: THE SWARM - EPISODE 1 [The CW]

Like the essence of "Jaws" or "The Day After Tomorrow", the reflection of animals in a changing environment is a real concern but also a specific approach in terms of narrative structure. This is an interesting approach and "The Swarm", a new acquisition series from The CW does just that. Based on a book by Frank Schatzing and produced for German Television, it does have a decently large budget for this kind of series. The first episode works in tandem like a novel moving within a couple different locales like most structured novels including a local native investigator in Vancouver, a student/researcher in Scotland and beyond. While the first episode is just setting up the complications involved in each one, it also sets up stakes that begin to pay off by the end of the first episode.

The mystery is leaned out and not made too dark but is effective. A couple specific shots stick out including one of a whale in an interesting stalemate watching or staring at a human which is very nicely done. The interesting thing is taking characters that are trying to do good but can't quite do anything against it. Unlike "Jaws" where Shaw was like "The Old Man And The Sea" where it is respect for an aversary but ultimately a battle, the intent here is that the damage is cumulative and driven by a need for information when the primal is what will eventually become the only thing left. While this is a 6-part series and it would be easy to skip ahead and either read the book or the reviews from its original airing in Europe, the close ended nature and build up for this first episode does motivate the viewer to stick with the characters, not necessarily for the final outcome but for the journey taken. A-

By Tim Wassberg